Stone Mountain Park Campground offers pet-friendly sites with full hookups across its 3,200-acre property. The campground features designated pet walking areas near most sites, with the Orange section being particularly popular for dog owners due to easy shoreline access. Campers can bring pets to tent sites, RV spots, and select yurt accommodations for an additional fee. The 5-mile paved trail around the mountain base provides ideal terrain for daily dog walks with varied views and lake vistas.
What to do
Beach activities at Fort Yargo: Fort Yargo State Park, located about 25 miles from Lawrenceville, offers swimming and fishing on its 260-acre lake. "Great swimming and hiking," notes Barbara C., while Shannon & Chris H. mention, "We had a really good time over the weekend" at nearby Lake Lanier shores.
Mountain climbing at Stone Mountain: The hike to the summit offers panoramic views across the region. "The hike to the top was a challenge, but the views were worth it," explains Judy B. at Stone Mountain Park Campground. Many visitors combine this with exploring the park's other attractions.
Wildlife spotting: The wooded areas around Lake Lanier provide opportunities to observe local wildlife. "We saw a lot of beautiful wildlife!!!" reports Jennifer T. while hiking at Stone Mountain. Similarly, at Sawnee Campground, campers note deer sightings throughout the day, especially at dawn and dusk.
What campers like
Level campsites: Many sites are designed for easy setup without extensive leveling. "Very level campsite. It was our maiden voyage and we had a great time," reports Susan D. from Sawnee Campground at Lake Lanier. This makes these areas particularly suitable for first-time campers.
Privacy between sites: Despite being popular destinations, many campgrounds offer good separation between sites. "The sites are arranged in a way that you don't feel close to your neighbor," notes Dalhya L. about Old Federal campground. "We camped with my parents in the RV section of the campground, it was beautifully wooded and offered plenty of space/privacy from other campsites."
Water proximity: Lakeside sites are highly valued by returning campers. "Our site was on the lake. My husband and son enjoyed fishing and paddle boarding right behind our site," shares Susan K. Many sites throughout the region offer direct lake access or views across Lake Lanier.
What you should know
Alcohol restrictions: Several campgrounds strictly enforce no-alcohol policies. "If you enjoy having a beer while camping don't come here," warns Rick B. about Shady Grove Campground. "Ranger pulls up and gave us both tickets. We had a mandatory court appearance, turns out each ticket is $280.00."
Bathroom maintenance: Facility cleanliness varies between campgrounds and seasons. "The shower house was a little dirty, so that's why I gave 4 stars instead of 5," notes Tonya B. about her experience at Stone Mountain Park. Similarly, other campers mention bathhouse conditions as a factor in their ratings.
Weather considerations: Georgia summers bring high humidity and heat. Early morning and evening activities are recommended during summer months when paved trails can become too hot for pets. Shaded sites are valuable during peak summer, with several campers noting the importance of tree cover.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. "There's all kind of activities for the kids," mentions Harvey B. at Stone Mountain. Fort Yargo State Park Campground offers "disc golf, nature programs, gift shop, putt-putt golf, playgrounds, hiking, mountain biking," according to Nancy W.
Safety near water: Monitor children carefully around unfenced water areas. At Shady Grove, one visitor notes, "We had a hard time keeping her away from the rock that lead in to the lake. It was not a great site for little kids but had an amazing view." Choose sites further from steep shorelines when traveling with toddlers.
Transportation options: Some larger parks offer internal transportation. "They have free transportation within the park/campground area," notes Harvey B. about Stone Mountain Park, making it easier to access different areas with children without constant driving or walking long distances.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for large rigs: Pay attention to turn radius and approach angles when booking. "After parking our 40ft 5th wheel, we realized where we needed to turn around was going to be tight," warns Pam H. at Lake Lanier Islands Resort Shoal Creek Campground. "It was so tight that the 5th wheel was only 1 inch from hitting the cab."
Leveling requirements: Some campgrounds have more level sites than others. "The only downfall was that the trailer needed a lot of leveling," mentions Susan K. about Stone Mountain Park. Conversely, at Bald Ridge Creek, "sites are very well maintained" with "paved pads" that many find easier for setup.
Hookup placement: Research hookup locations before arrival. "We were not informed which side the hookups were on, so our front door opened to the water spigot and up a hill," reports Tiffany B. "I would not have booked this spot had I known, but I was given no info about the spot on the website."
